What does specialty mean?
A specialty is a particular field in which someone has concentrated knowledge or skill, or a distinctive product or service made for a specific purpose. The word is especially common in professional contexts, as in a medical specialty or an academic area of specialty, but it also appears in commercial language such as specialty coffee, specialty tea, and specialty stores. In the United States, specialty is the standard form for these meanings. British speakers usually prefer speciality, although specialty can occur when emphasizing a product that has a special characteristic. The term is useful because it identifies not merely an activity or object but the specific branch, distinction, or purpose associated with it. It can therefore suggest expertise in one area or deliberate quality and specialization in another.
nounA particular subject, activity, or branch of work in which a person or organization has specialized knowledge or expertise. It can also denote a distinctive product, service, or feature that is especially valued for a particular purpose.
- A field of work, study, or expertise in which a person or organization specializes.
- A product, service, or distinctive feature valued for a particular purpose or quality.
- A particular type or category of thing, especially in commercial or culinary contexts.
"Her specialty is helping small businesses choose the right software for their needs."
"Cardiology is her medical specialty."
"The café is known for its specialty in single-origin coffee."
The regular plural is specialties, with the second vowel pronounced as /i/.
"The hospital has several outstanding specialties, including cardiac surgery and neurology."
One spelling does much of the regional work: Americans generally say specialty, while Britons usually say speciality.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does specialty come from?
Specialty entered English by the late Middle English period through French spécialité, which was derived from Latin specialitas, meaning a particular condition, preference, or characteristic. Its ultimate roots lie in Latin specialis, from species, meaning a kind or class. The English word initially developed senses connected with a special interest, condition, or privilege before developing its modern meanings concerning a specialized field or distinctive product.
How specialty is actually used
In British English, speciality is more usual for both a specialized field and a distinctive product or feature; specialty is strongly associated with American usage. In business, food, and retail contexts, the word can refer to something deliberately distinguished from standard products, such as a specialty coffee or a specialty store.
Easily confused with specialty
In British English, speciality is normally preferred for a field of expertise or a distinctive product, while specialty is the usual form in American English.